Obadiah wrote of one vision - the destruction of Edom.  Edom, the descendants of Esau, fought continually with Israel and Judah.  When Judah was taken into captivity, Edom quickly moved in to possess their land.  They gloated over the failure of Israel, their "brother".   Because of this, the Lord would bring them down.

"For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.  As you have done, it will be done to you.  Your dealings will return on your own head."   This is the Lord's standard for nations as well as for individuals.  We will reap what we sow.  This is why Jesus instructed us, " Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."  ( Matthew 7:12)


II Corinthians 1:1-11 - Paul writes " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all Comfort."

Comfort - Parakaleo - to call near, invite, implore - to call by name.  He comforts us when we are afflicted.  He enables us to comfort others.  This comfort is "abundant through Christ" - it superabounds!   Paul had seen his share of affliction.  He had suffered and was suffering.. but his testimony, from personal experience.. was that he was comforted.  

His afflictions resulted in salvation and comfort for his brothers and sisters in Christ.
His comfort - which enabled him to endure - would also result in helping them patiently endure any suffering.

The church will share in the sufferings of Christ. But, we will also share in His comfort.  He will come near and call us by name.

Paul writes that he was indeed afflicted.. "we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope." 

Excessive burdens..
Beyond our  own strength..
Despairing of life..
Under a death sentence..
Unable to trust in ourselves..

 We each may...  and probably will... face some kind of affliction and suffering in our own lives - whether due to illness, conflicts, physical disasters,  or criminal activity .. so we can relate to Paul's testimony.
But, we need to follow the rest of his example to:

Put our trust in God, who can raise the dead!
Know the God who delivers us from peril!
Set our hope on the One who calls us by name and draws us near to Himself!

We need to also join "- in helping.. through [our] prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons.. "  

Father in heaven, we know many who have suffered from illness or difficulties of one kind or another. We have also heard of those around the world who are severely persecuted and even killed because of Your Name.  God of Comfort.. draw near to those who are suffering right now. You see the one who has an excessive burden that they can't carry on their own.. draw near, Jesus, and yoke them to Your side.  You hear the prayer of one who is under a death sentence.. the woman in Pakistan who needs to get out of the country safely.. intercede for her even now, please Lord.  Deliver the one who is despairing of life.. perhaps someone who just can't face tomorrow, and give them hope.
We trust in You, Lord. We know You are our Deliverer, our Refuge, and our Comfort.  Thank you !
All praise and glory and blessings to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.